Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-02-18
BUYING OUR HORSES.
Secret Agents from England In Pennsylva-
MIA, Ohio and Kentucky.

MIA, Ohio and Kentucky.
PTTTsBURG, February 1.-THE most di-
rect evidence that there is foundation for
the war rumors in Europe and Canada,
and that England is taking every precau-
tion to prepare herself, has been developed
in this city to-day. RumOs have been
quietly discussed in certain circles for
some time past that had their foundations
in the mysterious appearance of foreign
travellers who were occasionally seen circu-
lating in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and
Kentucky. A railroad man, whose busi-
ness requires him ter travel over the Pam
handle Railroad, and who meets hundreds
of stock dealers, says that the rumors,
within the last few days, have assumed a
phase which many persons claim to have
proven that they are founded on facts.
1t is said that two months ago num-
Der of Englishmen came over to this
country, whose conversation indicated that
they were experts i'll Judging horse flesh.
These men went West, and some of them
stopped at different places along the line
of the Pan Handle Railroad. 1t is said
that they commenced to buy horses in
such large numbers that the price of them
advanced rapidly to p per cent over their
original value.
THE KIND OF HORSES BOUGHT.
The particular points necessary in the
selection of horses was that they should
be large and perfectly sound, and able to
Withstand unusual hardship. No speed
ers were bought by these men, but they
were willing TO give hadsonre price for
the class that they were after.
As the horses were still bought up, even
after the price had advanced - per cent,
the people in that section of the country
have become convinced that the men are
secret agents sent out by the English Gov
ernment. 1t is claimed that all of the
horses that were bought were shipped di
rect to Detroit and from there across to
Canada, and that already an immense
number of horses have crossed the line
from this country to be used in the event
of war.
1t has also been q matter of comment re-
Gently that an unusually large number of
horses were passing through Pittsburgh.
These come from points along the TT.
Wayne railroad and were being sent
DIRECT TO THE sEABOARD.
The horses were of the same strongly
built kind as those bought up in Ohio and
sent to Detroit Within two weeks over
twenty car loads of these horses have
passed through the city, each car contain
ing about twenty-five horses, or total of
500.
This unusual number of horses has
caused inquiries to he made. The cars were
followed by the same stories that came
from along the Panhandle railroad, to the
effect that secret agents from England were
the purchasers, and that the horses were
being sent from this country for war pur-
poses. The Englishmen who accompanied
the cars were always averse to talking about
the purchase of the horses. 1t is well
known that Russia, Austria and France
have strictly prohibited the expectation of
horses. All of the great powers are at
present receiving all of the horses that
they can to he prepared in the event of war.
1t is thought that England is not only en-
deavOring to have Canada well supplied
with horses, but is sending Others across
the ocean to her own shores. The horses
of this country are of such superior class
that they are in special demand.
AGENTS WORKING SECRETLY.
1t is said that these agents have been so
quietly and secretly ut work that even the
largest horse dealers in this country have
been kept in ignorance of their visit here.
Theyare said to avoid the large dealers and
to buy directly from the smaller stock rails
ers
Mr.. Daniel Arnheim and other large
horse dealers, whose business requires
them to 20 frequently through the Ohio,
Illinois and Kentucky stock raising dis
tricts, when seen to-day denied that there
was any foundation for the story. Even
when told that these agents were said to be
working secretly, they insisted that it
would he impossible for England to secure
American hOrse5 for war purposes without
it coming to the knowledge of the large
horse dealers. They admitted, however,
that the farmers in Illinois had raised the
price OF horses fully - per cent, aud that
in some instances they were holding on To
them waiting for still further advance in
the selling price. They claim that this
advance is due to the fishery question,
and is having bad effect Oh the horse bus
mess